It’s Not OK
On January 14, 2022 at 12:30 p.m. in a quiet residential neighborhood in Brooklyn, a 21-year-old woman approached three young Orthodox Jewish children on the sidewalk across from a synagogue. She told them, “Hitler should have killed you all. I’ll kill you and know where you live.” She then spat on the oldest child, a boy of eight years.[1]
Something isn’t working
Professor Uriya Shavit, the head of the Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry,[2] plainly states this regarding rising antisemitism:
Something just isn’t working. In recent years the fight against antisemitism has enjoyed extensive resources worldwide, and yet, despite many important programs and initiatives, the number of antisemitic incidents, including violent assaults, is rapidly escalating.[3]
Studies and reports confirm the rise of hateful antisemitism globally. Jewish populations in France,[4] Germany,[5] the Netherlands,[6] and New York City[7], represent only a few experiencing an increase in antisemitic incidents worldwide.
The players
A person does not need to search extensively to find the hateful rhetoric spewing from both the far left and the far right. These camps, so fiercely polarized against one another, both hold in common strong antisemitic overtones and conspiracy-riddled theories demonizing Israel and the Jewish people.
Christians and the Jewish community participating too?
Perhaps the most troubling aspect of rising antisemitism is the growing acceptance of political parties, media, and entertainment figures. They express antisemitism by trying to connect wealthy Jewish individuals to dozens of recycled tropes that blame “Jews”[8] for everything from COVID, forest fires, the tragedy of 9-11, to control of the world’s monetary systems and all the unrest in the Middle East.[9]
Numerous individuals who claim to be followers of the Jewish Messiah, Jesus, twist the meaning of Scripture, or simply claim “Christianity” for votes, while espousing ideology that “in word and deed” displays nothing that would identify them as being a humble, faithful follower of the One born in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago.[10]
Sadly, some well-meaning liberal Jewish voices have repeated a false historical chronicle of modern Israel. They listen to political leaders who promoted virulent anti-Israel hyperbole, then echo the false narratives.
Time to cut ties
It is time that followers of Jesus sever themselves from the toxic proponents of any form of antisemitism. This includes leaders who feed antisemitism through their silence. Some even promote their agendas by comparing the horrific Holocaust[11] to things they disagree with, that are by no means comparable to the systematic slaughter of over six million Jewish people.
Israel isn’t flawless – but her God is faithful
In the pages of Scripture and throughout history including today, we can plainly see the sins, moral failures, and crimes of Israel, and Jewish individuals. But they still are God’s chosen people, with promises, an inheritance, and a glorious future of reconciliation with God. As Paul reminds us when discussing God’s covenant relationship with Israel, “The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29).
Their greatest contribution
The world we live in would be without much of what we rely on, and benefit from, because the Jewish people have contributed so much to humanity through science, education, business, medicine, and the arts.[12]
But her greatest contributions are spiritual. To and through Israel God gave the Law, the Prophets, the Scriptures, and the Messiah,[13] who brings salvation to the Jewish people and the nations alike, through faith in Him.
Jesus and Paul, what about you?
Jesus longed for His people to be right with God. He mourned about how He wanted to gather them to Himself and to have known what He could bring to them (Matthew 23:37). While on the cross He said “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”[14]
Paul’s love for his people was such that he could even say that he wished himself to be accursed or cut off from the Lord if it would mean salvation for his Jewish nation![15] This is the heart of the Messiah, who did just that, as He took the sins and punishment that was due to Israel and the world upon Himself to make atonement.
So, it is not OK!
There is no satisfactory explanation for the centuries of hatred against the Jewish people if the explanation does not include the reality of a hatred also of God Himself by a world that is at enmity with Him.
Hatred for the Jewish people is a hatred of the true God, the God of Israel, the only God.
Stop it
In today’s climate of world-wide rising antisemitism, we can start in combating this by “stopping.” Yes, stop supporting antisemitic voices and causes. Stop saying you love the Jewish Messiah while showing contempt for the Jewish people.
Show and tell
As a young child I loved the day at school that was called “show and tell” where I could bring something to school that was important or interesting to me. I would show it to my classmates and tell all about it. As followers of Jesus, we are to be both showing and telling about Jesus to both the Jewish people and the world.
We tell the world, and the Jewish people, the truth of the one and only way to eternal salvation, and peace with God, through faith in Jesus. We show the world and the Jewish people that our message truly does transform the human heart by our love, our actions, and our life.
Are you interested in show and tell?
If you haven’t yet experienced the peace that only God can give, we would love to show you in the Scriptures God’s plan of salvation for Israel and the nations. We would love to tell you how Jesus is the Messiah, that Moses and the prophets spoke of. Most importantly, we would love to share with you how you can be reconciled to God through faith in the Holy One of Israel – Jesus the Messiah.
Time to bless, not blame
God will bless those who bless His people, Israel.[16] There is no bigger blessing than telling them about salvation in their Messiah who took the blame and suffered the shame of death that they – and we – could have life everlasting.[17]
Written by Jeff, Life in Messiah staff
Have you heard someone say something antisemitic? How did you respond?
Did you know that a simple thing such as saying “the Jewish people” instead of “the Jews” can make a difference? Check out this blog.
If you are interested in a “show and tell” about the Jewish Messiah Jesus, chat with us: www.insearchofshalom.com.
Endnotes:
[3] https://themedialine.org/headlines/sharp-rise-in-antisemitism-around-the-world-in-2021/.
To read the full report by the Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry read here: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/326496.
[7] https://nypost.com/2022/05/24/a-new-wave-of-anti-semitism-is-sweeping-new-york-city/.
[8] “Jews” though technically correct, does not have a kind sound to it as it has often been used with a derogatory adjective. Saying “Jewish people” is preferable.
[9] For example: https://www.adl.org/resources/reports/antisemitic-conspiracies-about-911-endure-20-years-later
[10] Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1-5.
[11] https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/estimated-number-of-jews-killed-in-the-final-solution.
[12] https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Giftedness-World-Redemption-Melnick/dp/1936716887.
[13] Romans 3:2; 9:1-5.
[14] Luke 23:34.
[15] Romans 9:1-3.
[16] Genesis 12:3.
[17] Isaiah 52:13-53:12 (53:5); John 5:24.